Method and apparatus for connecting a network of electronic signs

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus allows owners of electronic signs, such as retailers, real estate owners, other space owners, and content providers, such as advertisers, entertainment producers, event promoters, visual artists, and the general community to participate in an open content network, in which electronic signs are universally uniquely identified and then added to a network in a distributed fashion, after which content is selectively downloaded to the electronic signs. The times at which the content is presented are determined collaboratively by the owners of the electronic signs and the content providers. A mechanism that verifies whether the content is actually presented on the electronic signs is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patentapplications, Ser. Nos. 60/772,490, filed 13 Feb. 2006 and 60/778,045,filed 2 Mar. 2006, each of which is incorporated herein in its entiretyby this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to electronic signs. More particularly, theinvention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting a network ofelectronic signs.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the retail world, “POP” is used to refer to point-of-purchaseadvertising displays. POP displays can take various forms, includingshelf-mounted signs, hanging posters, and more. Because an estimated 70%of purchase decisions are made within the retail store itself, effectivePOP displays can have a dramatic impact on sales for a particularproduct category or brand. Recently, static signs have begun to give wayto electronic, dynamically updated point-of-purchase displays thatpresent targeted product information, instant coupons, and more. Todate, none of these systems provide a collaborative environment in whichboth content providers and merchants determine what is presented andwhen. It would be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus thatallowed both the content providers and the owners of the electronicsigns to cooperate in displaying and scheduling the display of content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and apparatus that allows owners ofelectronic signs, such as retailers, real estate owners, other spaceowners, and content providers, such as advertisers, entertainmentproducers, event promoters, visual artists, and general community toparticipate in an open content network. In the presently the preferredembodiment, electronic signs are universally uniquely identified andthen added to a network in a distributed fashion, after which content isselectively downloaded to the electronic signs. The times at which thecontent is presented are determined collaboratively by the owners of theelectronic signs and the content providers. The invention furthercomprises a mechanism that verifies whether the content is actuallypresented on the electronic signs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic sign according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network of electronic signs of FIG. 1according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of software on the electronic sign of FIG. 1according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot spelling a user webpage for a management featureof the invention, including content management, location management,sign management, and user management functions;

FIG. 5 is a screenshot showing the content management feature theinvention in connection with the placing of an ad;

FIG. 6A shows the user dialogue in connection with the invention forselecting locations during the process of placing an ad, includingtargeting attributes such as demographics and geographies and keywordssuch as ethnicity, taste, status, sexuality, lifestyle, and interests(see FIGS. 6A and 6B);

FIG. 7 is a screenshot showing content selection in connection with theplacing of an ad in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a screenshot showing the scheduling of an ad in connectionwith the placing of an ad in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a screenshot showing selection of locations or placement of anad in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a screenshot showing a confirmation of location selection andscheduling in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a screenshot showing a play list of ads including ad types,the ads themselves, the published user, the start date, the end date,the pre-status, and the action in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 is a screenshot showing a campaign report location map inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 is screenshot showing a campaign report location summary inaccordance with the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a screenshot showing a location card for a particularneighborhood and location in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and apparatus that allows owners ofelectronic signs, such as retailers, real estate owners, other spaceowners, and content providers, such as advertisers, entertainmentproducers, event promoters, visual artists, and the general community toparticipate in an open content network. In the presently preferredembodiment, electronic signs are universally uniquely identified andthen added to a network in a distributed fashion, after which content isselectively downloaded to the electronic signs. The times at which thecontent is presented are determined collaboratively by the owners of theelectronic signs and the content providers. The invention furthercomprises a mechanism that verifies whether the content is actuallypresented on the electronic signs.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention provides an electronic sign devicethat processes and presents visual and audio content. The presentlypreferred embodiment of the device 100 comprises a processor 10, avolatile memory 50, and a persistent memory 60 that are arranged tostore and present electronic content. The device further comprises aninput/output interface 20 and a network interface 30 for communicationwith external data sources. The device further comprises a display 40,such as a flat panel display, and optionally, one or more audio speakers45 through which content is presented. The flat panel display cancomprise, for example, an LCD panel, plasma display, front projectionscreen, or rear projection screen.

In one of its aspects, the invention provides a means for an electronicsign to identify itself universally. Each electronic sign is assigned auniversally unique identifier 65 which is stored in the persistentmemory of the electronic sign. In one embodiment, the MAC address of anetwork interface card is used as the unique identifier for theelectronic sign. Other uniquely assigned numbers or strings, such asprocessor ID numbers and/or sequentially assigned alphanumericalstrings, may also serve as a unique identifier.

In another of its aspects, the invention provides means to record ahistory of content presented on the electronic sign. The history ofcontent that has been presented is written into the persistent memory ofthe electronic sign. In one embodiment, the history file is encryptedusing a public key encryption algorithm to provide authenticity thatestablishes that the file is not falsely constructed. Otherpredetermined encryption algorithms may also be used to provideauthenticity. The history provides a mechanism for verifying thatspecific content was actually presented on the electronic sign. This isuseful for collecting statistics to identify effective campaigns, learnabout a market, establish advertising rates, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention provides a system 200 for connectinga plurality of electronic signs 100 into a content network 130comprising one or more electronic signs 100 according to the invention;and server configured to store registration information for electronicsigns, content files, information on how content files should betargeted to electronic signs, content selection and approvalinformation, and histories of content presentation on electronic signs.

The server may comprise a single installation or a distributed system,and includes:

-   -   A set of functions to manage a network of electronic signs and        content presented on the electronic signs. The functions are        presented via a web interface 140, which is provided to owners        of electronic signs and content providers to access the set of        functions, and which includes:        -   Means for registering and managing a plurality of electronic            signs 170 in a content network. Each electronic sign is            registered using its unique identifier along with other            identifying information, including type and size of the            electronic sign, physical address where the electronic sign            is located, business type to which the electronic sign            belongs, viewer demographics of the electronic sign, tags            for preferred content types, as well as other rating            information of the electronic sign;        -   Means for uploading electronic visual and audio content 160            from content sources to the server. Content uploaded to the            server is targeted to one or more electronic signs based on            any or all of the registration information for the            electronic signs; and        -   Means for owners of electronic signs to select and approve            content to be presented 180 on the electronic signs.

The system also comprises:

-   -   A communication network 120 for example, the Internet, that        provides network access to the set of functions to manage the        network of electronic signs;    -   Another communication network 150, which in principal can be        identical to the first communication network, that provides        network connections for electronic signs to communication with        the server; and    -   A proxy server 110, which can be used in place of direct network        access, to synchronize the content between electronic signs and        the server, using a network or a portable data transportation        medium.

A presently preferred embodiment of the invention functions in thefollowing manner:

-   -   New owners of electronic signs join the content network by        registering their electronic signs through a Web interface. Each        electronic sign is registered using its unique identifier, along        with other identifying information including type and size of        the electronic sign, physical address where the electronic sign        is located, business type to which the electronic sign belongs,        viewer demographics of the electronic sign, tags for preferred        content types, as well as other rating information of the        electronic sign. Viewer demographics include age, gender, income        level, marital status, occupation, and ethnicity. Examples of        tags for content types include typical content categories, such        as people, places, things, art, animation, and sports.    -   Owners of electronic signs manage electronic signs through the        Web interface. All registered electronic signs are listed;        registration information of electronic signs can be updated;        electronic signs can be added and removed from the system.    -   Content provides, i.e. content sources, register on the server        through the Web interface. Content providers are then able to        upload electronic visual and audio content to the server.        Content providers can also specify which electronic signs the        content is to be presented on by listing the criteria that        electronic signs need to meet. Such criteria include types and        sizes of electronic signs, physical addresses where electronic        signs are located, business types to which electronic signs        belong, viewer demographics of electronic signs, tags for        preferred content types, as well as unique identifications of        electronic signs, among other information to describe the        targeted electronic signs.    -   Content targeted to an electronic sign waits for approval by the        owner of the electronic sign before it is presented on the        electronic sign. When the owner of the electronic sign logs onto        the system through the Web interface, all content waiting for        approval is listed. If approved, the content is presented on the        electronic sign. If rejected, the content is not presented on        the electronic sign.    -   Through the Web interface, the owner of an electronic sign can        also arrange the order and timing of content presented on the        electronic sign.    -   An electronic sign is connected to the content network via a        communication network, through an additional proxy server, or        both. When connected through a communication network, the        electronic sign communicates and exchanges data with the server        directly via the network. Presently contemplated types of        network connection include both wired and wireless networks,        such as cable modems, dedicated subscriber line (DSL), phone        line modems, cellular or mobile networks, Ethernet, Wifi        networks, and WiMax networks. When connected through a proxy        server, the electronic sign first exchanges data with the proxy        server through physical storage devices, such as USB disks, SD        cards, and CompactFlash cards. The proxy server then exchanges        the data with the server via the proxy server.

Referring to FIG. 3, the invention provides necessary software 300 onthe electronic signs to download visual and audio content, present thecontent, and record a presentation history. The data transportationsoftware 210 uses the unique identifier 65 to determine and downloadappropriate content to the server 130, or via the proxy server 110.Content is downloaded in the form of content files 220 and a play list230 that describes how content should be presented. Content files can bein the form of video such as MPEG files, pictures such as JPEG, GIF,TIFF files, animation such as Flash files, and slide shows such as asequence of JPEG, GIF, TIFF files. Likewise, audio in any format such asAIF, WAV, and MP3 can accompany the content or can be presentedseparately. At the same time, presentation history 240 is uploaded tothe server. The presentation history is processed on the server todetermine how many times a content file is played on the electronic signand when it is played on the electronic sign. Content presentationsoftware 250 reads in the play list and content files, and uses the flatpanel display 40 and audio speakers 45 to present the content. Aftereach play of a content file, a record is written into the presentationhistory that contains the content file name or index and the time atwhich the content file was played. Such record is encrypted to ensurevalidity of the record and is uploaded to the server periodically todetermine the actual number of times the content is presented on theelectronic sign. In many situations, an advertiser may determine to paythe owner of the electronic sign a placement fee for every time an ad isshown. Having the presentation history provides an audit trail todetermine actual performance. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronicsign according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network of electronic signs of FIG. 1according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of software on the electronic sign of FIG. 1according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot spelling a user webpage for a management featureof the invention, including content management, location management,sign management, and user management functions.

FIG. 5 is a screenshot showing the content management feature theinvention in connection with the placing of an ad.

FIG. 6A shows the user dialogue in connection with the invention forselecting locations during the process of placing an ad, includingtargeting attributes such as demographics and geographies and keywordssuch as ethnicity, taste, status, sexuality, lifestyle, and interests(see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

FIG. 7 is a screenshot showing content selection in connection with theplacing of an ad in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a screenshot showing the scheduling of an ad in connectionwith the placing of an ad in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 9 is a screenshot showing selection of locations or placement of anad in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 10 is a screenshot showing a confirmation of location selection andscheduling in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 is a screenshot showing a play list of ads including ad types,the ads themselves, the published user, the start date, the end date,the pre-status, and the action in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 12 is a screenshot showing a campaign report location map inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 13 is screenshot showing a campaign report location summary inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 14 is a screenshot showing a location card for a particularneighborhood and location in accordance with the invention.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to thepreferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat other applications may be substituted for those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims includedbelow.

1. A content distribution method, comprising the steps of: providing aplurality of electronic signs distributed among a plurality oflocations; providing each electronic sign with a universal, uniqueidentifier, wherein each electronic sign is associated with an owningentity; associating said electronic signs with a distributed electronicnetwork; selectively downloading content published by any of a pluralityof content providers to said electronic signs; said owners of saidelectronic signs and said content providers collaboratively determiningwhat content is downloaded to said electronic signs and times at whichsaid content is presented on said electronic signs; recording a historyof content presented on each electronic sign; and verifying whether saidcontent is actually presented on said electronic signs with saidrecorded history; and providing a set of functions for managing anetwork of electronic signs and content presented on said electronicsigns, wherein said set of functions is presented via a web interfacewhich is provided to owners of electronic signs and content providers toaccess said set of functions, said web interface comprising the stepsof: registering and managing a plurality of electronic signs in acontent network, wherein each electronic sign is registered using itsunique identifier along with other identifying information, said otheridentifying information comprising type and size of the electronic sign,physical address where the electronic sign is located, business type towhich the electronic sign belongs, and viewer demographics of theelectronic sign; uploading electronic visual and audio content fromcontent sources to a server, wherein content uploaded to said server istargeted to one or more electronic signs based on any or all of saidregistration information for the electronic signs; and said owners ofsaid electronic signs selecting and approving content to be presented ontheir electronic signs.
 2. The method of claim 1, said step of providingeach electronic sign with a universal, unique identifier comprising thestep of: using a MAC address of a network interface card for at leastone electronic sign as a unique identifier for said electronic sign. 3.The method of claim 1, said step of recording a history of contentfurther comprising the step of: encrypting said history file using apublic key encryption algorithm to provide authenticity that establishesthat said history file is not falsely constructed.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the step of: providing a server configuredto store registration information for electronic signs, content files,information on how content files should be targeted to electronic signs,content selection and approval information, and histories of contentpresentation on electronic signs.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: providing a first communication network thatprovides network access to said set of functions to manage said networkof electronic signs; providing a second communication network thatprovides network connections for electronic signs to communication witha server; and providing a proxy server to synchronize content betweensaid electronic signs and said server, using a network or a portabledata transportation medium.
 6. A content distribution method, comprisingthe steps of: owners of electronic signs joining a content network byregistering their electronic signs on a server through a Web interface;wherein each electronic sign is registered using a unique identifier,along with other identifying information comprising any of type and sizeof electronic sign, physical address where said electronic sign islocated, business type to which said electronic sign belongs, viewerdemographics of said electronic sign, and other rating information ofsaid electronic sign; owners of said electronic signs managing theirelectronic signs through said Web interface; wherein all registeredelectronic signs are listed, registration information of electronicsigns can be updated, electronic signs can be removed from said network,and statistics on which electronic signs can be and have been viewed areprovided; content providers comprising content sources registering onsaid server through said Web interface; said content providers uploadingelectronic visual and audio content to said server; said contentproviders specifying which electronic signs said content is to bepresented on by listing criteria that electronic signs need to meet,said criteria comprising types and sizes of electronic signs, physicaladdresses where electronic signs are located, business types to whichelectronic signs belong, viewer demographics of electronic signs, andunique identifications of electronic signs; content targeted to anelectronic sign waiting for approval by an owner of an electronic signbefore it is presented on an electronic sign; listing all contentwaiting for approval when an owner of an electronic sign logs onto saidnetwork through said Web interface; wherein if said content approved bysaid owner of said electronic sign, said content is presented on saidelectronic sign; and wherein if said content is rejected by said ownerof said electronic sign, said content is not presented on saidelectronic sign; said owner of an electronic sign arranging an order andtiming of content presented on said electronic sign through said Webinterface.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:connecting an electronic sign to said content network via any of acommunication network and through a proxy server; wherein, whenconnected through a communication network, said electronic signcommunicates and exchanges data with said server directly via saidnetwork; and wherein, when connected through a proxy server, saidelectronic sign first exchanges data with said proxy server through atleast one physical storage device, said proxy server then exchangingsaid data with said server via said proxy server.
 8. The method of claim6, further comprising the steps of: providing a data transportationmodule that uses said unique identifier to determine and downloadappropriate content either to said server or via said proxy server;wherein content is downloaded in the form of content files and a playlist that describes how content should be presented; and collecting apresentation history at said electronic sign; uploading saidpresentation history from said electronic sign to said server; providinga content presentation module that receives said play list and contentfiles and that provides said content for presentation; and writing anencrypted record into said presentation history after each play of acontent file.
 9. A content distribution apparatus, comprising: aplurality of electronic signs distributed among a plurality oflocations; each electronic sign comprising a universal, uniqueidentifier, wherein each electronic sign is associated with an owningentity; means for associating said electronic signs with a distributedelectronic network; means for selectively downloading content publishedby any of a plurality of content providers to said electronic signs;means for said owners of said electronic signs and said contentproviders collaboratively determining what content is downloaded to saidelectronic signs and times at which said content is presented on saidelectronic signs; means for recording a history of content presented oneach electronic sign; and means for verifying whether said content isactually presented on said electronic signs with said recorded history;and a set of functions for managing a network of electronic signs andcontent presented on said electronic signs, wherein said set offunctions is presented via a web interface which is provided to ownersof electronic signs and content providers to access said set offunctions, said web interface comprising: means for registering andmanaging a plurality of electronic signs in a content network, whereineach electronic sign is registered using its unique identifier alongwith other identifying information, said other identifying informationcomprising type and size of the electronic sign, physical address wherethe electronic sign is located, business type to which the electronicsign belongs, and viewer demographics of the electronic sign; means foruploading electronic visual and audio content from content sources to aserver, wherein content uploaded to said server is targeted to one ormore electronic signs based on any or all of said registrationinformation for the electronic signs; and means for said owners of saidelectronic signs to selecting and approving content to be presented ontheir electronic signs.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, said universal,unique identifier comprising: a MAC address of a network interface cardfor at least one electronic sign as a unique identifier for saidelectronic sign.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, said history of contentfurther comprising: means for encrypting said history file using apublic key encryption algorithm to provide authenticity that establishesthat said history file is not falsely constructed.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising: a server configured to store registrationinformation for electronic signs, content files, information on howcontent files should be targeted to electronic signs, content selectionand approval information, and histories of content presentation onelectronic signs.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: afirst communication network that provides network access to said set offunctions to manage said network of electronic signs; a secondcommunication network that provides network connections for electronicsigns to communication with a server; and a proxy server to synchronizecontent between said electronic signs and said server, using a networkor a portable data transportation medium.
 14. A content distributionapparatus, comprising: a Web interface for owners of electronic signsjoining a content network by registering their electronic signs on aserver; wherein each electronic sign is registered using a uniqueidentifier, along with other identifying information comprising any oftype and size of electronic sign, physical address where said electronicsign is located, business type to which said electronic sign belongs,viewer demographics of said electronic sign, and other ratinginformation of said electronic sign; said Web interface furthercomprising means for owners of said electronic signs managing theirelectronic signs; wherein all registered electronic signs are listed,registration information of electronic signs can be updated, electronicsigns can be removed from said network, and statistics on whichelectronic signs can be and have been viewed are provided; a pluralitycontent providers comprising content sources registered on said serverthrough said Web interface; said Web interface further comprising meansfor said content providers uploading electronic visual and audio contentto said server; means for said content providers specifying whichelectronic signs said content is to be presented on by listing criteriathat electronic signs need to meet, said criteria comprising types andsizes of electronic signs, physical addresses where electronic signs arelocated, business types to which electronic signs belong, viewerdemographics of electronic signs, and unique identifications ofelectronic signs; means for content targeted to an electronic signwaiting for approval by an owner of an electronic sign before it ispresented on an electronic sign; said Web interface further comprisingmeans for listing all content waiting for approval when an owner of anelectronic sign logs onto said network; wherein if said content approvedby said owner of said electronic sign, said content is presented on saidelectronic sign; and wherein if said content is rejected by said ownerof said electronic sign, said content is not presented on saidelectronic sign; said Web interface further comprising means for saidowner of an electronic sign arranging an order and timing of contentpresented on said electronic sign.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,further comprising: any of a communication network and a proxy serverfor connecting an electronic sign to/through said content network;wherein, when connected through a communication network, said electronicsign communicates and exchanges data with said server directly via saidnetwork; and wherein, when connected through a proxy server, saidelectronic sign first exchanges data with said proxy server through atleast one physical storage device, said proxy server then exchangingsaid data with said server via said proxy server.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 14, further comprising: a data transportation module that usessaid unique identifier to determine and download appropriate contenteither to said server or via said proxy server; wherein content isdownloaded in the form of content files and a play list that describeshow content should be presented; and means for collecting a presentationhistory at said electronic sign; means for uploading said presentationhistory from said electronic sign to said server; a content presentationmodule that receives said play list and content files and that providessaid content for presentation; and means for writing an encrypted recordinto said presentation history after each play of a content file.